As establishments slowly start to open up again, businesses are taking more considerable precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many owners have introduced sneeze guards as a barrier to protect products and people effectively. While durable and sturdy, they still need occasional maintenance. 

Do:

Clean carefully.

Use non-abrasive acrylic sprays like Brillianize® or Novus #1® on a small area of the guard. If they're unavailable, warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap will suffice. 

Gently wipe the sprayed area with a wet, lint-free, and soft microfiber cloth. When finished cleaning, dry it with a soft sponge to prevent water spots, and then move on to another area of the surface until the job is complete. 

Inspect daily. 

Check the screws and brackets to make sure they’re still tight. If they’re showing signs of rust, replace them before they become loose. 

Over time, sneeze guards will take on scratches and cracks, making them less capable of preventing fluids from crossing the barrier. Replace guards every 10 years or when visible markings appear. 

Don’t:

Use dry cloths. 

Excess debris, dust, and dirt will accumulate on the surface of the sneeze guard over time. Remove them by covering your eyes and blowing across the pane or by using a blow dryer on its coolest setting, since the guard shouldn’t be heated. Hold the dryer at a 45-degree angle several inches away from the guard and run it side-to-side along the surface. 

Using a hand or cloth to clean the guard will only succeed in grinding the debris further into the material, making it harder to remove. 

Use certain chemicals.

Not all cleaning agents are effective on sneeze guards. Many have chemicals in them, like alkaline and ammonia, which cause abrasions to form and the surface to look cloudy. 

Other chemicals to avoid include carbon tetrachloride, toluene, acetone, and benzene. Using cleaners that have these chemicals will decompose the material and create stress fractures. 

Common household glass cleaners usually contain high levels of alcohol, which will damage the acrylic guard. 

Many cleaners also contain aromatics to minimize the smell of the chemicals. However, the hydrocarbons in the aromatics will wear on the surface of the sneeze guard. 

 

To increase the safety of customers and employees alike, reach out to Min Plastics & Supply, Inc. For over 60 years, their Plexiglas® acrylic sneeze guards have been used in various restaurants, retailers, offices, and supermarkets across Honolulu, HI. As members of the International Association of Plastic Distributors, they only use the highest quality plastics to help prevent the spread of microdroplets and airborne pathogens. To see the various sizes and styles available, visit their website. For information on their shipping services, call (808) 847-1511.